The March 21 Fayetteville Wine Society tasting at Grapes and Hops, a retail wine and beer store, featured Malbec and Malbec blends (I didn't get to the blends as I was not spitting.) Although I sat down for much of the tasting, I didn't take many notes. We had fruit, cheeses and some cold cuts and pulled pork with barbecue sauce to eat with the wines. (I liked the Old Amsterdam cheese and Teresa said she would get some for me next time she goes to the Costco in the Triangle area.)
2009 SEPTIMA MALBEC MENDOZA, ARGENTINA had dark fruit flavors and soft tannins on the back end.

2009 KAIKEN MALBEC, MENDOZA (Kaiken is a condor bird) From the Montes Alpha winery family. Smoother than the Septima.

2009 DONA PAULA ESTATE, MENDOZA Smoothest of the first three wines. More red fruited than the first two with raspberry suggestions. From mountain fruit. Uses French and American oak barrels. From Southern Wines. I am considering buying one or two bottles of this at the FWS discounted price.

2008 CATENA MALBEC. I have had Catena wines previously and thought this was nice but wasn't tempted to buy any.
I'm a fan of the Catena Alta Chardonnay from Adrianna Vineyard at a high altitude.

2009 ACHAVAL FERRER MALBEC. More complexity--some found chocolate notes in the wine. We are back to dark fruits in this flavor profile. I expect to order two bottles after I check the discounted price.

2009 PASCUAL TOSO RESERVE MALBEC. We are on a roll now. Another one I want to purchase. Heady nose. This tasted good with the pulled pork and barbecue sauce but was still very refined--not overbearing. I really liked this both on the nose and in the mouth. Will describe some of these better after I taste them at home.

I believe the final Malbec I tasted was a Catena Alta or Catena Reserve but I didn't take any notes. BTW, Laura Catena has a new book out on Argentinian wines, food, and culture.